RingSide, Portland’s Oldest Steakhouse, Is Closed After a Kitchen Fire | Eater Portland
"Closed after a kitchen fire on the afternoon of Saturday, April 5, the historic steakhouse remains shuttered while repairs and restoration are underway. “According to fire officials,” The Oregonian wrote, “crews arrived to find smoke coming from the historic steakhouse. Once inside, firefighters found smoke in the dining room and a fire near the stove in the restaurant’s kitchen. The flames were put out by 3 p.m.” No one was injured, and a spokesperson told The Oregonian that “the team is not available for interviews regarding the incident and is not ready to talk about it.” Management wrote on Instagram that the restaurant is closed “while we work through repairs and restoration,” and added, “We are heartbroken, but above all, we’re grateful that everyone is safe.” Originally opened as an Italian restaurant and bought by Allan and Marguerite Delepine in 1944, it has remained in the family and is currently owned by their grandsons, Craig and Scott Peterson. Beyond its steaks, it is famous for tuxedo’d servers and its onion rings, which James Beard said were “the best I’ve ever had.” A second location opened next to the Glendoveer Golf and Tennis club in 1979 and closed in 2017, while the original location has long been one of the city’s most popular dining destinations — a frozen steak sale during the 2020 pandemic lockdown even caused a mile-long traffic jam. The restaurant also states, “For more than 6 decades we have be offering guests the best steaks in town, providing impeccable service with an unmatched wine list. Our happy hour has a loyal late-night following.”" - Harry Cheadle
